Common in disturbed sites, 640-3,700 m, on Maui and Hawai'i, rare on
Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Moloka'i.

This species is found
on lava flows, ash dunes and cinder beds or on exposed sites such as alpine or subalpine
shrublands. It is less common in mature or stable plant communities such as
grasslands, wet forests or bogs (Wagner, et al. 1990: 595).

These are are very
conspicuous plants because they are often have bright clusters of red
berries.

The plants themselves are often short shrubs with aerial shoots
that are stiffly erect. The plants range from 10 to 130 cm tall (reaching 200 cm tall on occasion) (Wagner,
etal.
1990: 595).

In dry, stressed areas, small adult individuals
have above-ground parts that are often little more than a few short
shoots that are covered with leaves and a large mass of ripe
fruit. Other areas have rounded, bushy shrubs that are more
woody and which are often found with masses of dead, leafless
stems. The major stems grow mostly from the base (Stone and
Pratt 1994: 141).

This shrub is often a major common component of dry
areas. It is also found on new lava flows (Wagner, et al.
1990: 595).

Leaves

The leaves range from 1
to 3 cm long and wide and are persistent, ranging in shape from ovate
to obovate (rarely eliptical) (Wagner, et al. 1990: 595).

The older leaves are generally dull green.
New leaves, growing at the tips of the stems, may be bright red.

In some situation, the leaves may also have
patches of red.

The margins of the leaf may be sharply serrate
to entire (Wagner, et al. 1990: 595).

Flowers &
Fruits

The bell-shaped flowers are highly
variable both in dimension and color.

The flower colors range from pink, red, yellow
and yellow with red stripes to yellowish green. The corolla is
urn-like to cylindrical, 8 to 12 m long (Wagner, et al.
1990: 595).

The flowers often hang in what appear to be
clusters (Wagner, et
al. 1990: 595).

On close inspection, many of the flowers appear
to be waxy.

The pictures below
show the developing fruit.

The fruit
(berries) range in color from red to reddish purple or dull
black, or yellow, orangish yellow, yellow-green, or pink. They are 8 to
14 mm in diameter (Wagner, et al. 1990: 595).

Phenology

Flowers and fruits throughout the year, with peak flowering season between
April and September. Peak berry season is June through September
(Wagner, et al. 1990: 595)

Natural
History

This is often a member of the pioneer community on new
lava flows. You find it growing in these stressful habitats more often
than in established communities such as grasslands or wet forests (Wagner, et
al. 1990: 595).

Distribution of the seeds is attributed to the
nene (Nesochen sandvicensis) (Wagner, etal. 1990: 595).

Conservation

This species is used heavily on both Maui
and Hawai`i to make jams and jellies (Wagner, et al. 1990: 505).

Miscellaneous
Photos

Other Notes

This is a highly variable species.
There have been some attempts to divide it into several distinct species
but such studies have been complicated by difficulties in crossing the
plants since they have a strong tendency to self-pollinate (Wagner, et al.
1990: 595).

The berries are edible. They may be harvested
in the Park for personal (non-commercial) use with a limit of one quart per person per
month.